Shane Lowry Fires Course Record 62 in New Shoes at Irish Open

Shane Lowry shot a course-record eight-under 62 on Friday at the Amgen Irish Open, moving to the top of the leaderboard at Trump National Doonbeg while wearing a new pair of golf shoes.

What did Shane Lowry shoot at Trump National Doonbeg?

Lowry made nine birdies against a single bogey to set the course record and sits 11-under through two rounds at his home Open. It is his best form since he missed the cut for the BMW Championship in August, after which he took a month off before returning this week.

What equipment change did Lowry make?

Lowry has worn FootJoy's Premiere Series Packard shoes for several years, but he switched footwear before this week's tournament. He wore Nike shoes during a Monday practice round, then changed to a PAYNTR Golf model believed to be the Reserve Classic Tour RS ahead of his Thursday opening round. It is not the first time Lowry has been seen in PAYNTR Golf shoes; he wore the same model at last month's FedEx St. Jude Championship. Whether Lowry has signed an equipment deal with the brand is unclear. PAYNTR Golf counts former PGA Championship winner Jason Day as an equity owner, and PGA Tour winners Min Woo Lee, Sam Burns and Ben Griffin also wear the brand.

What is Lowry chasing at the Irish Open?

Lowry has not won a solo title since the 2022 BMW PGA Championship, where he beat Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm by one stroke. His most recent victory came alongside McIlroy at the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event. A win this week would be his first individual title in over four years.